jelle mastenbroek's 'splendour lender' cupboard stands as a porcelain jukebox

jelle mastenbroek’s ‘splendour lender’ cupboard stands as a porcelain jukebox
wood / glass / porcelain / brass
200 x 55 x 230 cm
image courtesy of jelle mastenbroek

status is a part of life, revealing a certain prestige or social status of an individual through means of their possessions. it is often through the objects which we possess that make us feel privileged, respected and regarded as important by society. historically for the dutch people, beautiful pieces of porcelain displayed within a ‘pronkkasten’ (‘flaunt wardrobe’ or ’show-off’ cabinet) were seen as a status symbol, signifying their importance.

jelle mastenbroek revisits the ‘pronkkast’ reflecting on the legendary display cupboard and reappropriating it with contemporary relevance.

‘splendour lender’ transforms from a display cabinet into a porcelain jukebox
image courtesy of jelle mastenbroek

how important is status in times of declining moral standards? how important is status in times where financial markets collapse, economies are shrinking and money tends to become a goal itself?

‘splendour lender’ reveals the real nature of money as a medium to exchange goods and services. in this case, mastenbroek brings porcelain to life in his modern day ‘pronkkasten’ — or porcelain jukebox. simply by inserting a one euro coin into the cabinet, people experience a joyful and musical moment, as the money tinkers along the tableware. after the cycle, the coin is returned to its owner, and the money can once again circulate.

‘spledour lender’ by jelle mastenbroek is on display at Xbank — a 700 sqm curated space within the W amsterdam that showcases the most comprehensive collection of dutch fashion, art and design labels in the world. see more about the epicenter of creativity in the netherlands on designboom here.

when a euro coin is inserted, it tinkers along the porcelain within resulting in a joyful, musical moment
image courtesy of jelle mastenbroek